Improvement in magazine fire-arms



UNITED STATES PATENT Duuren.

BENJAMIN B. HOTOHKISS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPR'V'EMENT 'l'N MAGAZINE "FIRE-ARMS.

S pacification forming part of Letters Patent` No. 184.285,dated November 14, 1376 application led September 22,1876.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, BENJAMIN 13. HOTOH Kiss, of New York city,v in .the State *ofA NewA York, temporarily residing in Paris, France, have invented certain' new and useful lmprovements in Breach-Loading FireArms, of

which the following is a specilication:

This invention-constitutes au improvement upon the arm-described in Patent No. 169,641, granted to me November 9, 1875; and it vconsists in features oi' construction which enable the -a'rm to he used at will, either as a single breech-loader, to which the icartridges-shall be supplied successively by hand, =or as a magazine-arm, in which to store a number of cartridges, which will present themselves ,au-

rapid succession, the said cartridges being impelled forwardl successively without the aid of a magazine mechanism operated by, or 'dependent upon, the movements of Lthe breechblock bolt or system The extracting of the shell is efected byan I extractor constructed in .an improved form,

1, as seen' looking from the muzzle'end of .the-

arm. Th'e cartridge is omitted for greater clearness of illustration. Fi-g. 3 is a crosssection on the line T T of Fig. 1 as seen looking from the muzzl'e'endot' the arm. Fig. 4- is a cross section, taken 4on line U Uof Fig. 1, as seen looking from the muzzle end. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section, in a horizontal plane, through `the nose-piece and extractor.` Fig. 6 is a crosssection online V V of Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 isa cross-section on line S S', as seen looking from the butt toward the muzzle. It shows the' head of the foremost cartridge in the magazine as it is held previous to its liberation by the' movement ofthe trigger. y

A is the stock or butt of the arm. B is the 'ed a slight projection,

shoe,.and B -the barrel. The :hamm-er E, the Airing-pin Grand itsspiral spring are similar -to these referred to .in the aforesaid patent. The bolt Fis inodied by having the groove f for the sear formed at one-side-of the-center, as w-ill .he further explained. l

-T-he shoe B., -in ,addition to the ordinary cylindrical channel for :the sliding system, as in other bolt-gnns, is perforated-With a passage, bl, which forms au immovable guide for onducting the cartridges into the magazinefain charging .the same, and outward therefrom and into .the ehamberiof the .arm =in loading it. It may also contain especial stop ,for-.the purpose ot' holdin-g back the ,cartridges .in the im.aefazahmelasamtehws@flew-ain= Themagazine -afis a cylindrical hole bored in the .stocker batt, and ias-connected .with the immovable guidel in the-shoe B, :sous to provide acontinuons Vpassage or .guideway for -thecart-ridges from r.the magazine =.di.r ectly to the chamber of the..-urm. A

The .trigger Ddi'ers from ithefonefdescribed ,in the .atbresaidpatent,=beirrg made of :greater dimensions-.in .-vrid-th :and :lengt-i1, and traversed byu itubularpnssage 4of .-'sucie-nt size to allow the `cartridges to -be fed through it into :the magazine,.and to -passgin-the opposite direction toward the chamber of thearin. The diameter -of =this tubular -,passage iis, at

the point d, equal to the .euliberof the maga-l zinetube,-'being alittle greater than the diameterof the flange .at the head -of the icar- .tridget Forward of .the tubular .portion d of the trigger, it is provided at .the :bottom with :an arm, 132 andat thetop with an-arm, D", Eig.

2. Bot-h i:the 'bottom .arm Dand the top arm D are :provided on their inner-faces, V:at-'their forward ends, with rounded surfaces, lso that the tubularportio'i extended forwar abo-ve and below at the front and flared. The rear end-ot` the tubular passage through the trigger is also rounded oli', as is also the vmouth ot' the magazine, suoli, construction aiding 4the proper `movement of the cartridges. There is also provid- D3, ou the lower arm D2, in the position represented in Fig. 1.

It will be observed that the. trigger `is p1rop upward behind the shoulders h2 of againstwhich'it'rests, as seen inFig. 7, sup-l v erly equipped to perform its ordinary functions unaffected by the presence of the cartridges. The sear D1, for retaining the hammer E when the gun is cocked, is, however, set at one side of the center line, Fig. 7, to suit the corresponding position of the groove -fin the bolt F, the purpose of this arrangement being to so locate the groove that it shall not interfere with Ithe passage of the cartridges from the magazine, but provide a smooth bearing-surface for them upon the under side of the bolt. The recess formed in the shoe, Figs. 2 and 7, for the scar D1, is, of course, in a proper relative position at one side of the center.

pied by the trigger and its attachments.

The trigger'locking arrangement, Fig. 1, is analogous in its construction and operation to the one described in the patent hereinbe l'ore referred to; but the depth of the stock at vthat part is so increased that the point ofattachment of the lockingalever C is lower, to allow the large space necessary for the pas- A sage of the cartridge over it.

f The extractor l and loose nose-piece H are modilied as follows: The part 'il terminates at its rear with a tail, il, which constitutes the spring of the extractor I, and allows the exf ltractingfhook l toyield suciently to snap over the head ofthe cartridge when the bolt is closed. The nose-piece H is provided at its front end witha projecting-stud, h, Fig. 1,

which 4enters a corresponding longitudinal4 groove in-the shoe and barrel, and serves as a guide, preventing the nose-piece from followingthe rotary motion ot'` the bolt, and thus relieves the extractor from the side strain,and the consequent abrasion of the metal of the barrel, heretofore experienced. This arm can be used as a repeater, automatically feedingy gun as a `repeat-er the trigger, and depresses the trigger until such movement shall permit the cartridgeflange to pass the shoulders b2 at the rear end of the shoe. The trigger, now `no longer pressed downward by "the cartridge-flange, rises andpresses' the body .ofthe cartridge the shoe,

ported bythe lower arm D2 of the trigger.

I ts retention in that position is aided by the projection Ds on the lower arm of the trigger 5' The rear end of the shoe' B'is slotted vertically, which space is occubut this auxiliary deteut, while advantageous, may be dispensed with.

As each cartridge is thus introdueedlnto the magazine itdrives the previously-inserted one or ones fartherl back in the magazine, and is caught in its turn by its flange resting against the shoulders b2, until the magazine is completely filled. The introduction of .the

cartridges forces backward the pusher piece or head M, carried by the magazine-spring N, and compresses said spring, thus imparting to it the requisite power' to impel the cartridges forward when they are liberated by the yielding stop constituted by the trigger. Whe'u the magazine is lilled,'one cartridge may be thrust forward into the chamberjof the barrel.

The preparation for tiring is effected in the' ordinary' manner'of operating bolt-guns by closing the system, and thereby cooking the arm. 0n pulling the trigger to lire the arm, the motion of the trigger at the same time libcrates the forward cartridge, lwhich has been previously held by the 'stops bz, which said cartridge is then instantly impelled forward by the force of the magazinespring N .until its further. progress is arrestedy by contact of the bullet against the under surface of the.

bolt F. All the cartridges in the magazine move' correspondingly forward under the'impulse of the spring N. The trigger immediately rises under" the pressure of its. spring 2 and breaks the continuity of the cartridge passage-way, so that the llange of the second cartridge will abut against the shoulders b2 when it reaches the point'occupied lby them,

thus arresting itself and the cartridges lying behind it, and permitting only the forward caltridge to pass onward toward the chamber of the gun.

The extracting is eifected in the usual way.

In closing the system the extractinghook is passed over the head of.l the cartridge to engage its flange, and in opening the system it draws back the empty shell, and the latter is ejected through the lat-eral opening intheshoe.- So .soon as' the space in the shoe becomes free the foremost cartridge in the magazine is'impelled forward by the .spring N until the succeeding cartridge is arrested by contact of its flange against theshoulders b2. The' momentum thus imparted to the forward cartridge by the spring will usually vbe suiicient-` to carry the cart-ridge directlyinto the chain. ber; but even if the ca'rtridge'should remain in the immovable guidein the shoe, the closi ing of the system will push it forward 4into the chamber of the barrel. the hook of the extractor is passed over the flange of the cartridge in this manner the arm can magazine is exhausted. A Y

To use the gun as a single-loader, if the magazine is empty, lthe gun can beloaded and red at once, like an ordinary bolt-gun that is, each cartridge may be inserted `by bered until thev By this movement4 the chamber, and lthe arm is again ready-to bedischa-rged.' In

. ecnstructeii 'apart and-pnttogeth'erwithV great facility.

nu's'sc i hand into the chambcrwhen the bolt isretractcd. l

lf the magazine is fully or partially filled with cartridges, the stop J may be raised,'so'

as to stand in the position indicated by dotted lines in- Fig. 1, by moving the lever J', (shown in dotted" l,ines,) to which it is'attached or forms a part. Inthis erect position'it acts t a stop to the further advance ofthe maga# zine-cartridges. 'This stop is` not 'essential in e''ectin'g this-modefofoperating the arm. When omitted the arm may be used'as a single-loader, as follows: When a cartridge has been delivered into the chamber and tired, and the bolt has been retracted, the forward cartridge in the magazine will be forced into the chamber of the arm, as has been described with reference to the mode of using it 'as a magazine-arm. At this time, and before mov ing the bolt forward, a new cartridge is forced into the magazine, and will, of course, be the` one which is next carried forward into the chamber and tired. Thus each time the bolt is withdrawn after firing a cartridge a. newA one (that which 'is to be next tired) may be magazine and the capacity of loading singleshots will be apparent to those skilled in the usent magazine-arms.-

One of theespecial advantages of this construction ot' arm-is itscapaeity to use cartridges of varying lengths, for itis apparent that the cartridges may vary in length within wide limits without affectingv the action ot' the mechanisms which control them, and hence that accuracy in their length is not at all requisite to secure the perfect action of the arm.

The head M o't the spring N is 'provided with a stud projecting from it at on'e side, which stud runs in a slot or recess, 3,- cut in the side of the -magazine-tu`be, continued vthrough the trigger, and extended into the shoe for a short distance. The purpose of this slot''is tollimit the forward movement of the springfhea-dld, so as to prevent its being projected tbrwardfjar enough: to interfere with This arm is the movementsoi" the system.

.Bo thatV its-parts' may be taken Modicatins maybe made without defeatnrgthepbJct-of the' invention. Instead of the tubular construction ot the tr igger,'asf shown,

"it may-beleeft, it' made suiciently "strong,

with one side of its tubular-passage open; or

the main body of thetrigger may. be set. (at one side, with the top and bottom surface properly positioned to receive and deliver cartridges between them. Somel of the features may be used without the others; 4but the whole construction shown is advantageous and efficient.

'The trigger constitutes a yielding' device,

as described."

moving so asto alternately release checartridge to move forward toward the chamber ot' the gun, and to permit the succeeding cartridge'to engage a stop, which arrests it'until the trigger is again moved to liberate it. Since this yielding device, interposed between the magazinev andt-he immovable guide which directs the cartridges into the chamber, so operatesithatit alternately stops and 'releases the cartridges, it is to be understood that'an'y equivalent mechanism having such mode ot' operation is to be regarded as Within the scope of this invention and, furtherv |nore,.that itis not essential that this yielding cartridge-controlling mechanism shall he comprised in the trigger, though that isJthe preferable construction, but that a lever. or a springlseated pin which shall alternately intcrrupt and clear the 'cartridge-passage may be employed.

1. The guide through the shoe, arranged at an angle to the axis ofthe bolt orsystem, and leading directly to thechamber in the barrel, iu combination with an independently-acting cartridge-impelling mechanism and a sliding bolt, substantially as described.

2. in a breech-loading arm having a magazine, a, and suitableV means for impelling the cartridges forward, .the combination 'ot' the shoulders b2 and the supporting arm D, adapted t0 mest theeertriegesisnbstemieily 3. The combinationofthe Ibarrel with a device for impelling the cartridges, and an mmovable device for guiding the same from the magazine into the barrel upon the retraction of the bolt, substantially as described.

4. In amagazine-arm in which the cartridges are liberated by the movement of the trigger, the shoulders or stops b2,engaging the head of the cartridge on one edge, and the additional stop or projection Da on the trigger, adapted to aid in holding the cartridge by its opposite edge, substantially as described.

the 'two armsfD2 and D-, forlninga part of and moved by the trigger, adapted, the one to hold the cartridge ont ot' linel ot'` the channel, and tl'nis to arrest it, and the .other to com pelthe-inovement of the arrested cartridge into the proper position for moving forward when the trigger-"'i s pulled,substantially as described. ff

6. 'lhe tubular construction of the trigger D, substantially as described.

7. In a magazine-arm, a trigger having the arm Dz for engaging and retaining the cartridge, andr'th'e arm DL for liberating it, substantiallygfas described.

8. Th'ef'magazine-arm described, adapted to receive and expel the cartridges Without any magazine mechanism, operated by or through the bolt, but independent therefrom, substantially as described.

9. The combination-of the bolt, the stop, and a device operated by the trigger, whereby the forward cartridge in the magazine is liberated by the movement of the trigger, and allowed to move forward till it strikes the bolt, is again liberated by the withdrawal of the bolt, and allowed to be projected forward, while'the succeeding cartridges are arrested, substantially as described.

10. The bolt arranged, with relation to the magazine and shoe, substan tiallyr as described,

whereby, when the bolt is withdrawn far enough to liberate the extracted cartridge or shell, the next succeeding cartridge is permit-- ted to move forward toward the barrel, as de- 11. The extractor constructed with the engaging-hook I', pivot-hook t', abutting-piece il, and spring i2, substantially as described. j

12. The projection h on the nose-piece, adapted to match in a corresponding groove in the iixed parts, and to relieve the extractor from side strain, as herein described.

13. The beveled surfaces provided upon the front and rear ends of the trigger, adapted to canse the cartridges to enter ,the tubular trigger and force it into alignment with the magazine-passage, substantially as described.

14. An oscillating trigger, constructed with a passage through it, whereby its movements shall interrupt the contin nity of the cartridgepassage, substantially as described.

15. A projecting stud on lthe head of the magazine-spring, in combination Vwitha slot.

in the-magazine and trigger, whereby thefforyward movement of the spring is lim,ited,`sub

stantinilly as described.

16. The construction herein described, by

vwhich the magazine is permitted to be -lled through the opening in the bottom of the shoe' when -.the bolt is Withdrawn, substantially as described.

17. The combination of the locking-piece C with the trigger and shoulders or stop b, sub stantially as described. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of September, 1876, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses B. B. HUTGHKISS. Witnesses:

PHILLIPS ABBOTT, Unas. C. STEfrsoN. 

